Tom McCarthy, who spent the last two seasons as a play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets on WFAN, is returning to his roots as a member of the Phillies broadcasting team, Rob Brooks, Manager, Broadcasting announced today.

The New Jersey native broadcast Phillies games from 2001 through the 2005 season. In addition to play-by-play on radio, McCarthy also hosted the Phillies' pre- and post-game shows. His contract is five years in length.

"Tom is an exceptional announcer and a great person. We are thrilled that we can bring him back to work on our telecasts," said Brooks. "He will do play-by-play for three innings when Hall of Famer Harry Kalas is not on television. Harry will continue to provide play-by-play for six innings on TV while also doing the fourth inning on radio as he's done in years past.

"With Harry, Scott Franzke and Tom, we have some of the best play-by-play talent in baseball. We also have three solid color commentators in Larry Andersen, Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews."

Jim Jackson will return handling pre- and post-game shows on WPHT The Big Talker 1210 AM and the Phillies radio network.

"I'm excited to be back in Philadelphia," said McCarthy. "I enjoyed my two years with WFAN and the Mets. Both are first-class as are the Phillies. I'm looking forward to returning and can't wait for spring training to get here."

McCarthy has had an extensive broadcasting career: six seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the Class AA Trenton Thunder, a frequent host of national ESPN Radio shows, drive-time host on ESPN Radio 1680 AM and 920 AM, play-by-play on CN8 and College Sports Television (CSTV). He's also broadcast Princeton University football and basketball, Rutgers University football and St. Joseph's University women's basketball. He's currently doing college basketball on CSTV and St. Joseph's University men's basketball.

In 2002, he won the Achievement in Radio award for best sports reporting for the Phillies pre-game show. Two years later, he won the same award for best local sports coverage for his baseball play-by-play. Last January, he was honored with the Radio/TV Excellence Award from the New Jersey Sportswriters. In addition, he won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for his work on CN8 in 2000.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.